Container and cooling means therefor



Feb. 4, 1936. J. L. KELLOGG '0 2,030,005

CONTAINER AND COOLING MEANS THEREFOR Filed Oct. 30, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 4, 1936. J. L. KELLOGG ONTAINEIR AND COOLING MEANS THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheei 2 Filed Oct. 50, 1933 liolm L. Kellogg, Chicago, El., assigner to Helen L. Kellogg, Chicago,

Application October 30, 1933, Se No. 695,735

4 s claims.

This invention relates to an improved type of portable container particularly adapted for holding liquids such as malt beverages, milk, and the like during shipment, and the principal object of the invention is to provide a container of the type referred to, having refrigerating means embodied therein for maintaining the contents of the container in a cool condition to prevent the same from deteriorating during shipment andfstorage preparatory to consumption.

A further object of the invention is to provide a container of the type referred to, having a. refrigerating means embodied therein, which is designed to utilize eiciently the cooling power of a concentrated refrigerant such as solidied carbon dioxide, thereby making it practicable to utilize a refrigerant of this type in lieu of ice for the cooling of beer, food products, and the like during shipment.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein I have shownithe preferred form in which I havtlis far contemplated applying the` principles of the invention.

Referring Vto the drawings:

Fig. 1 ris a vertical section through a barrel shaped container constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the refrigerating element portion of the container, the view being takenV on line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the outer end of the refrigerating element;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through a container showing a modified form of construction of the refrigeratingelement; and

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the lower nd of the con.

tainer shown in Fig. 4.

In the transportation of beer other malt beverages, considerable expense is incurred in maintaining the kegs or barrels of beer at a suiil-V ciently low temperature to prevent deterioration and impairment in qualtity of the beverage. A't the present time ice is the .refrigerant commonly used to c ool the barrels, andthe `use thereof in- 'volves undue expense because of lack# of satis-1 factorymeans for effectively utilizing; the :cooling power of the. ice; rl Also under the'presentpracticelthereis considerable dangenof having the beer:

become vweit-heated during .the transfer'. ofthe barrels from the `sh,ippingscars-9to the retailing. f.. est,l 1ish,111er 1ts4 Inf .aar#Qrdaritev; Withvmv: -in-ven-A v y uom.; embodygdirectlyfinthe container, or barrel, a refrigerating whichl `will serve. togkeepzthe; ,f contents of the containeratauniformly lowztem- I prature :l both duringI -theperiod 1o fsh1'pm,ent` as Y well asduring the-,time yof storage; preparatory to use. l `A'.l'zhe refrigerating .elementwhich I 'propose to use, which illustratedin the accompanyfor walls 6 and 9.

y,for a purpose :whi'chf will presently'beexplaind thereof the f tubularzmembers vandff (Ul. (i2-91.5)

ing drawings, is particularly designed for the use of solidified or liqueed carbon dioxide as the refrigerating medium, this substance being a concentrated form of refrigerant, as compared to ice, for example. However, in referring to the use 5 of solidified carbondioxide or the more commonly used expression, dry ice, it should be understood that I do not necessarily confine myself to the use of this particular substance as the refrigerating medium. l0

Referring rst to Figs. 1-3, the barrel or container comprises: an inner sheet metal receptacle consisting of a body or side wall E, and end Walls 1 and 8, the latter being either formed as an integral part of Wall 6 or being welded thereto to 15 form a liquid-tight connection; and an outer sheet metal casing consisting of a body or side p Wall 9 and end wall il and i2, the latter in the embodiment shown being formed as an integral part of Wall 9 and the brim or edge portions 20 thereof being. reinforced by annular ribs or tubes I3.

As shown in Fig. 1, the outer casing wall 9 is separated from wall 6 to provide an intervening space which, as presently will appear, serves as 25 a colling chamber for the body of liquid I4 contained in the inner receptacle, and similarly head kwalls Il and l2 are arranged in spaced relation to head walls 'I and 8, respectively, the space thus a continuation of the space which intervenes between the body or side Walls 6 and 9. The inner and outer receptacle walls are held in spaced relation by means of a pair of annular tubes l5 which are positioned approximately midwaybe- 35 tween the head ends of the container and which completely encircle the latter, thereby serving both as a reinforcing as well as va spacing means The ,container is provided with the usual filling bung ring I 6 which is closed 40 by a; bung Il, and a tap bung ring I8 is prol vvided in theV upper head encl of the container,Y

said ring being closed by a tap. bung i9.

In accordancewith my invention, a refrigerat I ing element, designated generallyby the numeral 45 2l issecured in the lower head end fof the con- `r g.tainer and servesto supply agaseous'refrigerat,

in thepresent instance carbon dioxide, to theo cooling chamber' surrounding thefbo'dywalli and the `head walls'il-andl ofthe inner receptacle=50V Referring particuiar1y-mr'ig- 2; the frefrigeratf l ing element.. 2 l comprise'sz a'head. 22; laf tubular? ,Y member '23, whiclr is-..fixedly secured at its'outer" .jendto thefheadfz22;lfanda -1casing-."or housin :member 24.whicn is-likewsersecied atiitsfoutri endto headvZZpthe membersz23andff24-f'bein` arranged in; spaced relation :onhe'ad: Z'Zf-as'A sh'w'n g The head .22 Whichyincludes as-anV integrallpa'r' movably secured in the lower head walls 8 and I2 of the container by means of a supporting ring 25 which is welded in an opening formed in the head walls 8 and I2, and which is threaded interiorly as indicated at 26 to engage corresponding threads formed exteriorly on head 22. The refrigerating element consisting of head 22 and tubular members 23 and 24 is thus removably secured in the container head walls, the members 23 and 24 projecting directly into the body of liquid I4. The tubular member 23 is closed at its inner end by an end wall 2l, thereby providing an elongated tubular compartment for holding a mass of solidied carbon dioxide, or dry ice, 28. The outer end of this compartment is closed by a cork stopper 29 which extends through an opening 3| formed in head 22. A nger piece 33 is secured in the outer end of stopper 29, and a split ring 34, contained in an' annular groove formed in the wall of opening 3|, engages the outer end of stopper 29 to releasably hold the same in closed position in the outer end of tube23. A gasket 35 is interposed between ring 25 and a marginal ilange portion 36 formed on head 22, thereby providing a gastight seal between these parts. Flange 36 is provided with a pair of diagonally disposed openings 31 which may be engaged by a wrench to effect removal of the refrigerating element.

It will be apparent that, in order to make economical use of the cooling power of the mass of dry ice 28, it is necessary to provide means for preventing excessive radiation and transmission of heat to the walls 6, 'I, and 8 and also to provide means for preventing excessive cooling, or possibly freezing, of the liquid which contacts the outer casing wall 24 of the refrigerating element. To this end I provide a path for the circulation of vaporized refrigerant from the mass 28 in the element 2| through the cooling chamber or space which lies between the inner and outer receptacle walls. The inner end wall 21 of tube 23 is provided with a series of apertures 38 through which vaporized carbon dioxide may pass into the space intervening between tube 23 and casing 24. The gas is conducted from this latter space through a branched vent or opening 39 formed in head 22, to an annular space 4I formed by a groove which is cut from the inner wall of ring 25. A safety plug 40 is inserted in the outer end of vent 39 to provide for escape of gas in the event that the pressure becomes excessive. The gas is conducted from this annu- 'lar space 4| through a series of laterally extending openings or vents 42 into the space intervening between head Walls 8 and I2, which space, as previously pointed out, forms part of a continuous cooling chamber which extends completely around walls 6, 1, and 8 of the inner receptacle. As the gas emerges into the space between lower head walls 8and I2, it circulates around the body or side wall 6 and nally reaches a series of Vents or openings 43 formed in the upper head wall through which openings the gas passes into the surrounding atmosphere The reinforcing ribs or tubes I5 are apertured as indicated at 44 to prevent obstruction of the ow of gas. Assuming the barrel to be in the position shown in Fig. 1, it will be apparent that, as the gas flows from element 2| outwardly between the head walls 8 and I2 and then upwardly between body walls 6 and 9, it will become gradually warmed by reason of absorption of heat from the walls 6, and also by reason of,` the inward radiation of heat from outer wall 9. By properly gauging the quantity of refrigerant employed, I have found that, in refrigerating beer for example, the temperature of the gas leaving vents 43 may be quite accurately held within the desired range of from 40 to 50 F.

In order to retard evaporation and flow of gaseous carbon dioxide from element 2|, I provide in the space intervening between walls 6 and 9 a body of loose wool packing 45, and similarly I provide between walls 8 and I2, and 'I and I a layer of loose wool packing 46. The purpose of this packing is to check the rate of evaporation and flow of gas from element 2|- around the walls of the inner receptacle to the outlet vents 43. If this space were not lled with some suitable insulating packing such as loose wool, pulverized cork, or the like, the flow of gas would be unduly rapid, and the refrigerant would become quickly expended. This insulating mass also retards conduction and radiation of heat from the surrounding atmosphere through walls 6 and 9 to the interior of the container.

A body of loose wool 41 is likewise placed in the space intervening between tubular member 23 and casing member 24 of the refrigerating element. The purpose of this mass of insulating material is twofold. It serves to retard evaporation of carbon dioxide from the mass 28, and the rate of flow thereof through ports 39 and 42 to the cooling chamber, thereby conserving the cooling power of the refrigerant. It also serves directly as an insulating body to prevent excessive cooling, and possible freezing of the liquid immediately surrounding casing 24. The temperature of the solidied carbon dioxide is 109 F. Beer or milk and other liquids contained in the receptacle would thus be quickly frozen, if means were not provided for insulating the mass 28 from the body of uid.

By reason of the fact that the refrigerating element 2| is removably secured in ring- 25, it is possible to substitute therefor other elements of various lengths and having greater or less capacity for storage of dry ice. The element 2| in effect constitutes a cooling cartridge which may be of any desired length, the cartridge being reintended to be kept in storage for comparatively long periods of time. Although in the embodiment shown the members 23 and 24 of the element 2| are cylindrical in form, it will be apparent that they .may be made in any shape which may be best suited to the particular type of container employed. v

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5. the general construction of the container is quite similar to the form shown in Figs. 1-3. The inner receptacle consists of a body wall 48 and end walls 49 and 5|, and the housing or casing which is spaced therefrom consists of a body wall 52 andu end walls 53 and 54, the wall 53 being provided with vents' 55 which allow escape of carbon dioxide gas in the manner described ln connection with Figs. 1-3. In this embodiment, however, the refrigerant container comprises a at pan-shaped vessel 56, the side walls 51 of which project at right angles to the bottom wall to engage over a sleeve portion 58, the latter constituting an integral part of the lower head wall 54. As shown in Fig. 4, the sleeve or anged portion 58 merely consists of the downwardly turned edge portion of the walls of an opening formed in wall 54.

A mass of solidified carbon dioxide 59 is contained in the vessel 56 and gradually evaporates therefrom to provide a stream of cooling vapor which passes through the cooling chamber to the outlet vents 55. A body of loose wool packing 6l is placed between walls 48 and 52, and similarly strips of loose wool packing 62 are placed between the spaced head walls of the container, the purpose of this packing, as previously explained, being to retard evaporation and the rate of iiow of refrigerant, and also to prevent radiation and conduction of heat to the interior of the container.

The vessel 56 removably engages over the sleeve portion 58 and is held in position by a removable head wall 63 which is locked in position by asplit ring 6d, the latter engaging within a groove -65 formed in the outer head wall 54, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. A body of loose wool packing 66 is interposed between walls 63 and 54 and serves to insulate vessel 56.

This form of construction of the refrigerating unit likewise permits of replacement of the mass of refrigerant 59 after the same has become expended, this being accomplished by merely removing split ring 64; head wall 63, and the body of insulating material B6, whereupon the vessel 5B may be removed and relled.' While in this form the refrigerating element does not extend into the body of liquid within the container, it nevertheless provides for effective cooling by reason of the comparatively large area which lies adjacent the lower head wall 5l and also, of course, by reason of the circulation of the gas through the cooling chamber surrounding walls t8, t9, and 5l.

The foregoing detailed description has beenV given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible in view of the prior art.

What I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A portable refrigerating container comprising a receptacle having an inner wall and an outer wall spaced therefrom to provide a cooling chamber for the circulation of refrigerant, and a refrigerating element secured in a wall of the container, said element including a supporting head, and a double'walled body supported on said head and having a storage compartment therein adapted to contain a mass of solidified gaseous refrigerant, said head and the inner wall of said body having openings therein to provide for circulation of gaseous refrigerant from the storage compartment through the space between the walls of said body and thence into the cooling chamber.

2. A portable refrigerating container comprising a. receptacle having an inner wall and an outer wall spaced therefrom to provide a cooling chamber for the circulation' of refrigerant, and

a refrigerating element secured in a wall of the container, said element including a supporting head, a. double walled body supported on said head and having a storage compartment therein adapted to contain a mass of solidied gaseous refrigerant, said head and the inner wall of said body having openings therein to providefor circulation of gaseous refrigerant from the storage compartment through the space between the walls of said body and thence into the cooling chamber, and closure means arranged to permit relling of the refrigerant compartment without necessitating removal of the element from the container.

3. A portable refrigerating container comprising a receptacle having an inner wall and an outer wall spaced therefrom to provide a cooling chamber for the circulation of refrigerant, and a refrigerating element secured in a wall of the container, said element including a double walled compartment extending into the interior of the receptacle and adapted to contain a mass of solidied gaseous refrigerant, the walls of said compartment having openings therein to permit flow of gaseous refrigerant into the cooling chamber, and closure means arranged to permit relling of the refrigerant compartment without necessitating removal of the element from the container.

4. A container of the character set forth comprising a receptacle having a double wall, the outer wall being spaced from the inner wall to provide a cooling chamber for the circulation of refrigerant, a refrigerating element secured in a wall of the container, said element including a supporting head, an elongated hollow body supported on said head and adapted to contain a mass of refrigerating substance, an outer shell carried on the head in spaced relation to said body and enclosing the latter, said head being apertured to provide communication between the cooling chamber and the space around said body, and a mass of porous insulating material' interposed in the space between said elongated body and shell for retarding volatilization'4 of refrigerant and the rate of flow thereof into said cooling chamber.

' 5. A container of the character set forth comprising a receptacle having a double wall, the

outer wall being spaced from the inner wall to outer shell carried on the head in spaced relation to said body and enclosing thelatter, said head being apertured to aord communication between the cooling chamber and the space around said body, and a mass of porous insulating material interposed in the'space between said elongated body and shell for retarding volatilization of refrigerant and the rate of iiow thereof4 into the cooling chamber; and a second mass of porous insulating material disposed in said cooling chamber for further retarding ow of refrigerantl around the inner wall of the container.

6. A portable refrigerating container for malt beverages and the, like comprising a barrel-shaped receptacle having anfinner wall and an outer casing spaced therefrom to provide a cooling chamber around the body and head portions of the receptacle, a head wall portion of said casing having an opening formed therein, the edge portions of said opening being flanged outwardly to provide a sleeve, a refrigerant-containing vessel comprising a relatively flat pan having side walls 4adapted to releasably engage said sleeve, a re- JOHN L. moco. 

